USCG Exam PracticeDanger bearings and danger circles
A navigator takes three simultaneous bearings to charted objects and plots them. The resulting triangle (cocked hat) has one corner lying close to a charted shoal. According to Bowditch, the navigator should:
- A. Take the centre of the triangle as the vessel's position and continue on course
- ✓ Assume the vessel's position to be the corner of the triangle nearest the dangerCorrect
- C. Discard all three bearings and take a new set before proceeding
- D. Use the corner of the triangle farthest from the danger to allow the greatest sea room
Why B is correct
Bowditch Ch. 7 §705 states that where the cocked hat lies near a hazard, the corner nearest the danger is assumed for safety. This conservative approach ensures the navigator does not underestimate proximity to the hazard.
Cited:Bowditch Ch. 7 §705